Asato Ma Sadgamaya Shlok

Om asato mā sadgamaya।
Tamaso mā jyotirgamaya।
Mṛtyorma amṛtaṁ gamaya।
Om śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ॥

Lead me from untruth to truth. Lead me from darkness to light.
Lead me from death to immortality. Om, peace, peace, peace.

Let us understand the meaning of the shlok

• Asato Mā Sadgamaya: This prayer is a call to move from falsehood (asat, untruth) to truth (sat), symbolizing the desire for a life of honesty, integrity, and spiritual awakening.

• Tamaso Mā Jyotirgamaya: Tamas represents darkness, both literal and metaphorical, and this line asks for guidance toward light, which signifies knowledge, wisdom, and enlightenment.

• Mṛtyorma Amṛtaṁ Gamaya: This powerful line pleads for liberation from the fear of death, leading the devotee toward the experience of eternal life and immortality through spiritual realization.

• Om Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ: The repetition of "peace" three times at the end of the prayer is a call for peace on all levels—within oneself, in the external world, and in the spiritual realm.

This timeless shlok is a universal prayer for guidance, truth, and inner transformation. It comes from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad and is often chanted during meditation and rituals to invoke spiritual clarity and peace.

Three easy ways to integrate this shlok in your daily lives

• Morning or Evening Meditation: Recite this shlok during your meditation practice, either at the beginning or end of your session. Reflect on its meanings and allow its message to center your mind and guide your actions.

• During Moments of Doubt or Confusion: If you're feeling uncertain, lost, or overwhelmed, softly chant this shlok. It serves as a gentle reminder to seek truth and light within yourself, helping to calm and guide you.

• Action Step: Try incorporating this shlok into your daily routine. Whether you chant it first thing in the morning or before bed, allow its message to inspire a sense of peace and purpose.

Good to know…

The Asato Ma prayer is considered one of the most profound teachings of the Upanishads, ancient Indian spiritual texts. Its call for guidance from darkness to light is interpreted on many levels—seeking wisdom over ignorance, peace over chaos, and spiritual immortality over material existence. Interestingly, many scholars believe this mantra has universal relevance and can be applied to all paths of life, regardless of one's spiritual beliefs.

Take a moment to reflect…

What areas of your life would transform if you focused on moving from untruth to truth, and from darkness to light?

Hari om!

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